Your Homes Energy Rating - Assurance By the Number

An ENERGY STAR Home meets guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. The home must achieve a computer-calculated rating, as verified initially by plans, then on-site by a certified Home Energy Rater or by meeting an approved package of features. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are energy efficient than the current International Residential Code (IRC) and have quality assurance features to ensure high home performance, including durability and good indoor air quality. Since July 1, 2006, the lower the rating number, the more energy efficient the home. A home that can generate as much energy as it uses (a “zero energy home”) earns a HERS rating of 0.

Independent, third-party certification provides you or a buyer of your home credible assurance that it is truly energy efficient. When planning energy saving upgrades, an energy rating can serve as a financial decision-making tool. Qualified homes are eligible for Energy-Efficient Mortgage (EEM) loans through participating lenders. EEMs allow borrowers to qualify for a larger loan as a result of the expected energy savings.